A Gaithersburg woman is celebrating after purchasing a scratch-off that turned an ordinary stop for gas into an unforgettable moment: the experience of winning $50,000.
Her enthusiasm was contagious as she described her experience when she claimed the prize on Feb. 19 at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore.
A healthcare professional with a hectic schedule, the winner said she typically buys scratch-offs weekly, usually on Fridays, as a fun way to unwind after work.
On the day of her win, she stopped to refuel after her shift and decided to purchase 10 scratch-offs on the $10 game 50X the Cash at the Shell station at 10211 Westlake Drive in Bethesda.
While pumping gas, she began scratching her tickets and quickly suspected one might be a winner. To be certain, she went inside the store to scan them. That’s when the excitement really began.
Two of the tickets were winners, but one stood out as it won her a $50,000 second-tier prize.
“I was shocked,” she said. “The cashier was just as excited as me, he started dancing and celebrating.”
As of when she claimed the prize, the player had shared the news only with her family. She plans to invest a portion of her winnings and use the rest to help her loved ones with bills.
When asked whether the big win would change her lottery habits, she responded with a smile, “Why would I stop after this win?” She added that she’ll continue playing, just for fun.
The game 50X the Cash launched Jan. 9 with nine $100,000 top prizes, of which six remain unclaimed, and 10 second-tier $50,000 prizes, of which seven remain unclaimed.
